In the highest degree, and a real friend to the indigent Savage, on whom she bestowed an annuity, although he had not the most remote claim upon her beyond his poverty and genius. She died in 1730, and was buried in Westminster Abbey with great pomp. She left two sons, one by each of the gentlemen with whom she lived, and to whom she behaved with the duty, fidelity, and attachment of a wife.
OLGA,
Wife of Igor, the second monarch of Russia, was born of the best family in Plescow. She bore Igor one son, called Swetoslaw. Igor being murdered by the Drewenses, Olga revenged his death. She went afterwards to Constantinople, where she was baptized by the name of Helen. The emperor, John Zimisces, was her godfather, and fell in love with her; but she, alleging their spiritual affinity, refused to marry him. Her example induced many of her subjects to embrace Christianity, but had no effect on her son. She died at Pereslaw, in the eightieth year of her age, fourteen years after her baptism.
OLYMPIAS,
Daughter of the King of Epirus, married Philip, King of Macedonia, by whom she had Alexander the Great. Her haughtiness and suspected infidelity induced Philip to repudiate her, and marry Cleopatra, niece of Attains. This incensed Olympias, and Alexander, her son, shared her indignation. Some have attributed the murder of Philip to the intrigues of Olympias, who paid the greatest honour to the dead body of her husband's murderer. Though the administration of Alexander was not altogether pleasing to Olympias, she did not hesitate to declare publicly, that he was not the son of Philip, but of Jupiter. On Alexander's death, B. C. 824, Olympias seized on the government, and cruelly put to death Aridaeus, one of Philip's Illegitimate sons, who had claimed the throne, and his wife Eurydice, as well as Nicanor, the brother of Cassander, with a hundred of the principal men of Macedonia. Cassander besieged her in Pydna, where she had retired, and after an obstinate defence she was obliged to surrender. Two hundred soldiers were sent to put her to death, but the splendour and majesty of the queen overawed them, and she was at last massacred by those whom she had injured by her tyranny. She died about 316, B. C.
O'NEILL, MISS,
Was born in Ireland, about 1791. Her father was the stage-manager of the Drogheda theatre; and she was introduced on the boards at an early age. When quite young she went to Dublin, where her personation of Juliet, in Shakspere's play of "Romeo and Juliet," established her reputation. She was engaged at one of the principal London theatres; and she soon became one of the most popular actresses of the day. At the time of her leaving the stage, on her marriage with W. Becher, Esq., M. P., she was in the receipt of twelve thousand pounds a year; the whole profits of which she is said to have distributed among her numerous relations.
